LOUIS DE GRENADE

New edition (probably after the original of 1602) illustrated with 17 finely engraved copperplate figures, including an architectural title-frontispiece, a figure of the Holy Trinity and 15 religious subjects in frames of flowers, fruits, insects and macabre emblems on perforated black background, signed Jacob de Weert and Léonard Gauthier. Bound at the end: a portion of the Seven Penitential Psalms, decorated with a charming engraving by De Weert, and Devout Meditations on the Death and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Chez Eustache Foucauld, Paris, 1604), decorated with a vignette on the title by Charles de Mallery and a figure of the Crucifixion. Copy entirely ruled.
Contemporary full brown morocco binding. Smooth unlettered spine decorated with rich mirrored foliate design. Covers decorated with foliate design in the corners and a central blank medallion and several successive frames. Ties. All edges gilt. Restoration to foot and corners. Stains and browning to numerous leaves, notably on the title. In the Devout Meditations, jump from leaf 14 to 16 without loss and inversion of leaves 12 and 13.
Collection of spiritual literature, notably prayers, composed by the German M. Isselt, based essentially on texts by the great Spanish mystic Louis de Granada. French translation by François Bourdon.

The first edition of Girard's translation dates from 1658.
Contemporary full glazed dark red morocco binding. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Gilt title. Roulette on edges and turn-ins. Gilt edges. 2 wormholes at foot. Rubbing. One yellowish stain in margin at leaf 255. Handsome copy.
The Guide for Sinners forms the most celebrated work of Louis de Grenade (1505-1588), Spanish Dominican mystical theologian, whose spiritual writings were not only acclaimed in their time but later praised by François de Sales. He was a student of Jean d'Avila, and is today considered one of the major authors of Western spirituality. The Guide was only translated into French in the 17th century by Girard, due to the awakening of a new mysticism in the 17th century.
Bookplate pasted on title page Antonii Bourdieu Presbiteri Claromentens 1805.